²⁰ So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel.^{(A) 21} Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver^(B) between two opinions? If the Lord^(C) is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

But the people said nothing.

²² Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left,^(D) but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.^{(E) 23} Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. ²⁴ Then you call^(F) on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord.^(G) The god who answers by fire^(H)—he is God.”

Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

²⁵ Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” ²⁶ So they took the bull given them and prepared it.

Then they called^(I) on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response;^(J) no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.

²⁷ At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”^{(K) 28} So they shouted louder and slashed^(L) themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. ²⁹ Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice.^(M) But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.^(N)

³⁰ Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar^(O) of the Lord, which had been torn down.

⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves^(A) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(B) and filthy language from your lips.^{(C) 9} Do not lie to each other,^(D) since you have taken off your old self^(E) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(F) which is being renewed^(G) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(H) 11} Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(I) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(J) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(K) but Christ is all,^(L) and is in all.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(M) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(N) gentleness and patience.^{(O) 13} Bear with each other^(P) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.^{(Q) 14} And over all these virtues put on love,^(R) which binds them all together in perfect unity.^(S)

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ^(T) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(U) you were called to peace.^(V) And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(W) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(X) through psalms,^(Y) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^{(Z) 17} And whatever you do,^(AA) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(AB) to God the Father through him.